Backstretch Employee Service Team Establishes Fund To Aid Injured Jockey | |
| Contact: Cate Dolan | June 15, 2007 |
The Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) has established the Andrew Lakeman Assistance Fund to benefit the jockey who was seriously injured in a race at Belmont Park on May 25th. All proceeds of the fund will be used to offset Lakeman's medical expenses and ongoing care. "Andrew Lakeman has worked in the New York racing community as both an exercise rider and jockey for many years. At B.E.S.T. we've known Andrew through his participation in our programs since 2003, and recently he recorded a testimonial about how helpful B.E.S.T. has been to him," said Rich Cristiano, chairman of the B.E.S.T. Board. "He's faced many challenges, but none so great as the challenges he'll face with his injury. He's really going to need the help of the racing community." Contributions to the Fund, which are tax-deductible, should be made to B.E.S.T. and designated to The Andrew Lakeman Assistance Fund. Donations can be mailed to: B.E.S.T. B.E.S.T. provides multiple, on-site health and human services to support workers in the barn areas of Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetracks. B.E.S.T. draws upon strong connections to additional resources in the extended community to help backstretch workers lead healthy and full lives. As our motto states, B.E.S.T. is "taking care of the people who take care of the horses." |
